Delegates attending fifth session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF-5) in New York have been unable agree on steps to strengthen the international arrangement of forests.

The main task before UNFF-5, which convened from 16-27 May 2005, was to review the effectiveness of the international arrangement on forests (IAF) and redesign the arrangement, if necessary. During the two-week session, delegates: reviewed progress and considered future actions; reviewed the effectiveness of the IAF; considered the parameters of a mandate for developing a legal framework on all types of forests; and considered enhanced cooperation and policy and programme coordination. In the end, UNFF-5 was unable to reach agreement on strengthening the IAF and could not produce either a ministerial statement or a negotiated outcome. By Thursday, 26 May, delegates had agreed ad referendum to four global goals on: significantly increasing the area of protected forests and sustainably managed forests worldwide; reversing the decline in official development assistance (ODA) for sustainable forest management (SFM); reversing the loss of forest cover; and enhancing forest-based economic, social and environmental benefits. They also agreed in principle to negotiate, at some future date, the terms of reference for a voluntary code or international understanding as well as means of implementation. On Friday afternoon, delegates forwarded the draft negotiating text to UNFF-6, to be held from 13-24 February 2006, at UN headquarters in New York. Earth Negotiations Bulletin coverage.